Isn’t performing for ‘exposure’ necessary?

Yes, but good exposure is incredibly rare, and empty promises are everywhere. It's important to know the difference.

‘good exposure’ means you are guaranteed a large number of people who are likely to be interested in your music.

The term is so commonly mis- and over-used that booking agents will try to sell musicians on the great exposure opportunity, then mention that there’s no built-in draw, without even realizing they’ve fully contradicted themselves.

Good exposure does not mean you shouldn’t be paid. Most of the best exposure gigs pay well.

Busking can be very valuable for exposure, promotion, and practice, and performers get 100% of the proceeds.